Asterisk PBX has many features

Asterisk is a complete PBX in software. It runs on Linux, BSD, Windows (emulated) and OS X and provides all of the features you would expect from a PBX and more. Asterisk does voice over IP in four protocols, and can interoperate with almost all standards-based telephony equipment using relatively inexpensive hardware.

Asterisk needs no additional hardware for Voice-over-IP, although it does expect a non-standard driver that implements dummy hardware as a non-portable timing mechanism (for certain applications such as conferencing). A single (or multiple) VOIP provider(s) can be used for outgoing and/or incoming calls (outgoing and incoming calls can be handled through entirely different VOIP and/or telco providers)

Interconnection with Asterisk PBX

For interconnection with digital and analog telephony equipment, Asterisk supports a number of hardware devices, most notably all of the hardware manufactured by Asterisk’s sponsor, Digium. Digium has single and quad span T1 and E1 interfaces for interconnection to PRI lines and channel banks . In addition, single to quad port analog FXO and FXS cards are available and are popular for small installations. Other vendors’ cards can be used for BRI (ISDN2) or quad- and octo- port BRI based upon CAPI compatible cards or HFC chipset cards.

For interconnection with the cellular network (GSM or CDMA), Asterisk can use the Celliax channel driver or chan_mobile that is in the trunk now and there is also a unofficial backported version.

Lastly, standalone devices are available to do a wide range of tasks including providing fxo and fxs ports that simply plug into the LAN and register to Asterisk as an available device.

If you are looking for a software-based IP-PBX for Windows, contact Toronto-based Codefusion Communications Inc at 416-335-9390 who can give you full service voip and pbx solutions

If you want any further questions to ask or you are seeking an experienced Toronto VOIP IP PBX provider in the Greater Toronto area please call Jeff Brodie or his staff at Codefusion Communications Inc.. They are a Microsoft and Altigen Partner and have been in operation over 10 years with many VOIP IP PBX systems installed across Canada and the Unites States as well as internationally.

VOIP for Your Home or Business

The new way for individuals and businesses to conduct phone conversations and conference calls is with VoIP communications. The idea of finding a company that allows you to communicate over the internet has allowed many people to conduct business meetings and to keep in touch with family and friends. You no longer need a landline with a local phone company to talk around the world. When you add the video option to the package, you can conduct conference calls with business partners and associates as well as friends and family while seeing the person or persons you are talking too. This feature is for both phone and computer telephony integration using tools like AltiGen servers,Microsoft Office Commucations Products and Servers and a reliable local telecom provider like Codefusion Communications.

VOIP gives you lots of Telecom Choices

Most of the main line carriers now have adopted VOIP but have not reduced their toll charges as it has gained popularity with people looking for the VoIP option, however it is ay more expensive than Magic Jack for comsumers in giving you access to the PSTN. You have a box that that hooks up to your phone line and it has a broadband connection. With VOIP companies,as with other landline carriers such as Bell or Verizon, you can have unlimited international and local calls for a set amount a month. Many other companies offer the service as well, with different plans and options. The Voice over IP system helps people who need to work at home or you have a need for a lower phone bill other than what their local phone company has to offer.

One of the only drawbacks to having the VoIP phone system is that you also have to sign up for a 911 service. Since you have the ability to select an area code other than the one you reside in, this can cause problems if you have to use the system. Many people do not realize this and have encountered problems. You are also going to pay an additional charge for the 911 service. This is a great way to save money if you already have a broadband connection. There are other options to the VoIP telephony system as well.

One thing to keep in mind about using the VoIP calling system is that depending on the type of service you have, you may need a different phone to use with the new phone system, it will have a USB plug, but they are relatively cheap. This is the only downfall to the VoIP telephony because if you lose power you will lose your phone service,unless you have a backup power supply or UPS

Video conferencing is also hitting the top of the hot computer topics list because of the convenience and affordability that it offers. You can do this via computer or through a VoIP line. You will more than likely need a software program for the computer, but this also depends on the system, you have to use. If you use the computer software, you can hook up every computer in your business that is connected to the network. This is becoming more popular because employees can remain at their desks and still participate in conferencing meetings.

This is the hottest thing since the computer or the internet. Businesses everywhere are switching to this type of communication within the company as well as outside the company communications. Because of this communication, businesses and individuals have more options for communicating rather than a landline with a local phone company or a cell phone. Look for more upgrades in this type of technology, such as Skype’s new video-calling feature as more and more people start to rely on this as a sole means of communication in the very near future.

CRTC Carrier Protection Agency

by Jeff Brodie,
CEO Codefusion Communications Inc. Toronto

Wow! Bell is up to its old games again, looking to lock hold on the dominant means of communications. What is clever this time is that the battle was fought by a bunch of ISP and Independent service provider resellers. Which means the public never really got wind or proper education of what proposal Bell Canada had submitted to our Canadian Regulator CRTC. So now the CRTC has passed this ruling following massive public blowback.

Usage Base Billing, smelled of the same play that Bell Canada attempted with Local Measured Service int he 1990’s. Where Bell was facing newly formed competition in the Land Line and Long distance area. This battle was much shorter lived, and never made it to approval due to the widespread advocacy by the consumer groups, as this was directed as the consumers and not just the resellers. This was a clever tactic by Bell to slide this one so far under the radar. As consumers we need to ask what is next?

CRTC Wrong-Headed

The CRTC ruling only affects the resellers of Internet services, which means the mass of savvy Internet users and businesses that have opted for third party resale of DSL are being penalized by this new law. This is in my opinion is justCanother example of the inability of the current structure of the CRT Commission to truly grasp the implication of laws and rulings they are faced with. Although the incumbent government has struck down this rule, and over ruled that this is anti-competitive practice, the comment from the CRTC was that they believed that Usage Based Billing was equitable.

CRTC : Canada Needs More Competition Not Less

The only aspect of this law that would be equitable would be if you happened to hold stock in the incumbent DSL provider Bell. Otherwise, there logically appears to be no equity to this decision. Canada has is fraught with some of the highest communications cost on the globe, and yet, the regulators seems fit to pass laws to suppress competition in our communications industry, and to further set the profit margin was simply appalling. It is in the opinion of this writer a blind eye cast towards the future of business in this country.

Albeit that Canada has one of the smallest populations in the globe, and yet we tend to be technology leaders and thought leaders in the world, you think our regulators would be more attuned to global communications trends.

It is time to stir the pot and get more competition into the Canadian environment and stop trying to protect those who need no protection. I am grateful for the competition that has opened up in the Wireless space in Canada. Even with those most of the new services are Metro (limited scope and foot print) services, it is a start. We are now seeing communications packages for as little as $50 a month for an all in and all you can eat wireless plan. It is about time we got some protection from the CRTC .